Finding Aaron Ashby in a World Full of Kody Funderburks

[Cody Schoenmann]

 

From the Twins' perspective, the most important story of this past postseason was the heavy reliance on left-handed relievers capable of throwing multiple innings. Milwaukee’s Aaron Ashby’s epitomizes this trend, as he put up a 0.00 ERA, 1.38 FIP, and 33.3% strikeout rate over 18 innings pitched. Of his nine games, Ashby threw more than one inning in eight, twice tossing three innings in separate NLDS and NLCS appearances. The 28-year-old often threw multiple innings in the regular season, too, pitching more than one frame in 24 of his 75 outings.

Milwaukee’s NLDS opponent (San Diego) deployed a similar approach, having star southpaw Adrián Morejón pitch two innings once against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card round and once against Milwaukee. San Diego often had Morejón operate in a multi-inning role during the regular season, too, alongside fellow plus lefty relievers Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta. The Los Angeles Dodgers used the same approach in both the postseason and the regular season with left-handed relievers Kris Bubic, Jack Dreyer, and Justin Wrobleski.

The Chicago White Sox did the same with Hagen Smith and Sean Newcomb. The list goes on and on. Baseball’s smartest and most successful organizations all utilized their top left-handed relievers and swing men in multi-inning roles during the regular season and postseason. Why is that? The best lineups in baseball have a lot of left-handed hitters. Naturally, the best way to combat that is by rostering multiple left-handed pitchers who can pitch multiple innings—fighting platoon fire with platoon fire.

As you know, one of Minnesota’s many areas of need this offseason will be its bullpen, which was a bottom-10 unit in the sport, according to Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR). As constructed, the Twins have one left-handed reliever who can throw multiple innings: Kody Funderburk. Funderburk is a serviceable major-league reliever who can toss multiple innings—don’t get me wrong—but he isn’t the headlining lefty reliever of a postseason-contending club. Perhaps Connor Prielipp could transition into the Ashby role and find much success. However, club decision-makers are highly incentivized to continue stretching the young southpaw out as a starter.

That being the case, Minnesota would be wise to address this roster inefficiency via free agency this November, before the lockout begins on December 2. At first glance, the most obvious option would be re-signing A.J. Minter. The 33-year-old southpaw excelled with Minnesota after being acquired from the New York Mets on July 31, posting a 2.78 ERA, 4.91 FIP, and 22.3% strikeout rate over 22 2/3 innings pitched. The club could probably retain him on a one-year deal for around $8 million. Even if Minter returned, though, he would probably operate exclusively in a one-inning role. While he'd be a fine addition, he's no facsimile of Ashby.

Aforementioned southpaws Morejón, Bubic, and Newcomb are free agents. Morejón was offered the $23.2 million qualifying offer from San Diego, which he could accept. Bubic, Newcomb, and other free-agent lefties like JoJo Romero, Brent Suter, or (to a lesser extent) Dietrich Enns could pitch multiple innings, however. There are plenty of options. To address this role meaningfully, the Twins would need to target a high-upside candidate such as Bubic, Newcomb, or Romero. Again, given how most of the offseason will be condensed into one month, Twins decision-makers will need to decide which multi-inning southpaw to invest in. The specific pitcher takes a back seat to the necessity for team decision-makers to proactively seek out and acquire a lefty reliever of this mold, capitalizing on one of the sport’s most understated advantages. It won't be easy, but it's necessary.

 

Image courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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[Althebum82]

Oh boy, a blast from the past with the Dietrich Enns mention!  

You're correct in thinking it takes someone with unique character to succeed in this role.  

However, I do believe that Kendry Rojas was our version of this in 2026, albeit in a limited number of innings.

Having said that, it would be my personal preference that he be stretched out to become a starter.

[thelanges5]

Rojas had 12 appearances with 10 of those being multiple innings. Unless he can figure out his control and command, he is better suited for the bullpen. 

[Jack Pine]

Every time we find an ideal candidate for this position the urge to stretch him out and make him a starter will win out.

[Jack207]

Funderburk is a minor league pitcher!

[Rufus]

29 minutes ago, Jack Pine said:

Every time we find an ideal candidate for this position the urge to stretch him out and make him a starter will win out.

 A left handed starter is more valuable than a left handed bullpen arm.

[nicksaviking]

Bubic, Minter, Romero and Suter were mentioned, but Ashby was an afterthought before he popped. And he wasn't a free agent. I do kind of like JoJo Romero, but I don't think he is a multi inning guy; his IP are less than his Games Pitched. That looks like a LOOGY in modern baseball.

If we're talking lesser known free agents, this will not be a popular choice, but I've been looking at Jose Suarez. He's most likely a MiLB kind of contract, but he only made the full time transition to reliever last season, and one full season removed from being a starter is when these guys tend to pop off. Not that he will, but if we're playing thrifty LHP roulette, that might be my bet.

Kolby Allard is a similar story but even in the pen he barely touches 90 MPH. A more well known commodity that finally accepted a reliever role is Jordan Montgomery. He returned in August after missing all of 2025. He got rocked his first two outings but settled in after that. As far as the multi inning criteria go, he averaged 2 IP per outing. The velocity was down quite a bit though so might want to check under the hood to see if it was low due to the layoff or if it's gone forever.

[Blyleven2011]

We can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which weighs more …

there are some pitchers that can throw a few days in arow , there are some pitchers  that can’t , there are some pitchers that can throw multiple innings in relief and there are some that can’t …

gotta have an old school mentality to allow multiple innings , Murphy seems to be that manager and Ashby that pitcher  , remember this was the playoffs and World Series and all players are pushing it harder , Ashby was outstanding  ..

was Ashby used like this during the regular season ? 

[tony&rodney]

14 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

was Ashby used like this during the regular season ? 

He was a few times, but the regular season does require more long term arm management. Newcomb and Ashby both were at 90 innings but Ashby appeared in more games. Of course, arm problems are always just around the corner and both Ashby and Newcomb have endured IL stints.

Newcomb is a decent thought for the Twins. I like Rojas in a bullpen role as he learns the ropes at the highest levels of baseball. Morejon is going to get a huge pile of money. There was a guess of 5/$105M just recently. I would like to see the Twins offer Morejon 4/$82M with an opt out after two years.